Printing mechanism



Sept. 12, 1933. J, W BRYCE 1,926,892

PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 28. 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet l sept. 12, 193.3..y

y J. W. BRYCE PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 28, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheefl 2 Sept. l2, 1933. J. w. BRYcE PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 28, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. l2, l- W BRYCE 1,926,892

PRINTING MECHANISM Sept. 12, 1933. w BRYCE 1,926,892

PRINTING MECHANISM Fled Aug. 28, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 12, 1933. J. w. BRYcE PRINTING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 28, 1950 FIG] Sept. 12, 1933. J, w. BRYCE PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 28, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 FIGB.

Sept. 12, 1933. J. w. BRYcE PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 28, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 matically some of the mechanical parts used in the machine;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of certain restoring devices which are in the translator shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;'I

Fig. v1l is a view similar to` Fig. 1 `but with a modified form of type element and selecting construction; and

Fig. 12 is a view showing certain parts shown in Fig. 11 and in a movable or displaced position.

Referring to Fig. 1, 20 is the printing drum provided with the type restoringcam shafts 21 and with any suitable driving train `for rotating the drum, for example the driving train 22 shown by the dotted line gears. Disposed in the drum are the rows of type carriers 23. The type carriers co-act with the camming shafts 21 in the manner fully described in Carroll Patents Nos. 1,516,079 and 1,726,539 and accordingly this description will not be repeated here.

Magnets 24 are the primary selecting magnets and it isthe energization of these magnets under record card c'ontrol that makes the primary selection andcallingjof the type carriers into action. It is suicient to here state that the energization ofA magnets 24 trip latches Y25 which in turn are positively actuated by the heels 26 of succeeding type to in turn actuate hook 27 and displace such hook 27'into position .for calling a type by swinging action into position. This mechanism is substantially identical with the mechanisml of Carroll Patent No. 1,726,539. In Figs. 1 and 2, 28 is the platen carrying the usual sheet of paper 29.

In contradistinction to the construction heretofore provided in machines of this class, each type carrier Y is provided with a multiplicity of type, i.e. 30, 31, 32 (Fig. 2), and such type are mounted 40 so as to be relatively movable with respect to their supporting carrier 23. Fig. 3 shows one construction inwhichthe type carrying element 33 is relatively slidable on the carrier 23.

It will be noted that the aggregate number of type on'the carriersis greater tha-n the vnumber of the carriers themselves. For example, in the embodiment shown, there are three times as many type as there are carriers for the type.

Secondary selection of type K According to the present invention, provision` is made `for effecting a primaryfselection of the type carriers by energization of magnets 24 in the manner heretofore `explained and -in addition the type carriers are swinging towards printing position and while the carriers are in continuous forward motion. The particulars of thesecondary selecting devices will now vbe described.

`lfteferring to Fig. 3, disposed in alignment with the path of movement of the end ,of` the type elements 33 is a camming element 34 preferably pivoted upon a shaft 35 and having a camming face 3,6 disposed to contact with the curved end of element v33.

Referring to Fig. 1, synchronously with the rotational movement of the drum20, a cam device 37 displaces a cam follower 38 and through a linkage 39 swings down a bail 40 (see also Fig. 3). The elements 34 are connected to the .bail by suitable springs 41 andthe same elements are provided with stepped ratchet or stopping teeth designated 42 and 43. During operation of the machine 'there is an energization of a secondary selecting magnet 44 which magnet according to .contact blocks'56, 57 is provided.

its time of energizati'on trips a latch 45 and trips a pawl 46 causing it to engage one of the steps 42, 43 or to miss the 43 step entirely. The particular step which is engaged will depend upon the time of `energization of magnet 44. It will accordingly be seen that the part 34 and cainming face 36 have three possible positions. One of these positions will be that in which 34 rests in contact with bail 40 in which case 46 will have missed the notch 43. The next position is that shown in Fig. 3 in which 46 has been engaged with'notch 43 and the last position will be that in which 46 has engaged notch 42. t is according to which of these positions that part 34 with Vits camming face 36 assumes that will control the Vextent of outward displacement of member v drum. There is accordingly a concurrent selec tion of type carriers and type for printing action. While the piloting part 34 receives a preliminary set up the actual selecting action occurs while the type carrier 23 is swinging outwardly under the influence of the primary selecting mechanism.

The means for controlling the secondary selection will now be described.

Referring' now to Fig. 8, 50 designates a stack of record cards which are adapted to be handled and advanced in the usual way in succession one by one, by suitable feed rolls such as 5l. Suitable card sensing means are Yprovided comprising brushes and contact blocks 52, 53. A next lower set or brushes and contact blocks 54, 55 and in addition a still lower set of brushes and Contact blocks 55 connect to plugboard sockets generally designated 53 and from these sockets connection can be optionally made to leads 59 leading to counter magnet 60' or to `leads 61 which lead to rotary switching devices 62 and from thence to the primaryl selector magnet 24 and back to the other side of line. Other leads 63 also extend to the switching devices generally designated 62 and at their opposite endY connect4 to the brush blocks 57` as shown. The details of the switching devices 62 will be subsequently explained after the translators have been described.

Assuming a record card being fed into the machine, one of the record cards is traversed past the upper brushesand brush blocks 52 and 53. The position of these brushes and brush blocks is such that they are adapted to read the upper three pilot holes on the record card which are marked Control on Fig. 4 'of the drawings. According to which holes are encountered in these control holes timed circuits are established through a circuit which for one column will be traced as follows: from block 53 through 70, Fig. 8, to brush 71, (see also Fig. 7) thence to common conducting ring 72 on commutator elements 73 and vthence selectively at the 10, 11 and 12 positions to one of the three brushes 74 and via one of the circuits 75 to one of the three magnets 76, 77 or 78. Energization of one of the magnets 76er 77 or-78 allows its cooperating brush (Fig. 7) 760 77a', or 78a to shift with relation to their cooperating commutators generally desigrecord is to be vread by brushes 54 'for the lower brush positions or whether brushes 56 are to be used for" reading theejxtra hole positions.

This Veffects the translatorV tail in Fig. 6 and is the same as isnsually used'` for this purpose in ltranslating devices.

Vfis-the commutatore 79 and 8o' rotate during the operation `of the machine and during the rotationfo'r the drum 29 and depending upon the relative shitting or non-shiitingof brushesGa, 77a and 78o, a timed differential circuit will be established to the `secondary selecting magnet 44 at either of three differential 'times ywhich in time correspond to the threedesired positions oi elements 34. In thisV way the tion control is'obtained.

As shownin Fig.4, the one positions representative of numerals are adapt'- ed to be read bythe lower brushes-54. When alphabetical characters are to be read there vare multiple holes in t e index point columns and it will be noted that there are certain holes marked right on the record card, Fig. 4, in theA beginning.

of zone 2, there are again certain lalphabetical characters which are read conjointly by the low-- er brushes 54 and by theY upper brushesj52. It

is accordingly necessary to provide switchingmechanism to selectively determine whether the Translating v'n'echanism The operation of the translating mechanism in translating from multiple or single hole read ings as shown in the control-columns of Fig. v4 be understood 'from the development diaf grain of Fig. 7. The reading-in commutator '73 rotates the direction indicated by the arrow,

carrying its Aconducting spots into cooperation with brushes/74.1 The spacing of thespots is such that the spot irri() position makes contact ywith its brushes 74st the time when analyzing brush 52 of the' inachineis'searching the 10 index point position o'na card; the spot inll position makes contact with its brush when the analyzing brush is searching the 11 index point position and so on.

` The circuits established energize the various )magnets '75, '77 and *i8 to shift their respective brushes 75a,7' ?7a, and '78a`as heretofore explained. For example, if B is represented on Vthe card vas indicated in Fig. 4, the magnet 76 will be energized through the zero-perforation of this chai'- acter. g

When the magnets 7677, 78 are deenergized their brushes are in positions indicated on the drawings while ifV any magnet is energized its cor- Vset up under control of reading-in commutator 7B. After they haveV been completelyV set up they coact with conducting spots 90S on the readingout coinmutator surface. Two circumferential rows of spots 90 are provided for each brush, the brush `coasting with onerow in its normal unsecondary vselecto nine index point example.

shifted positionand cooperating with the other These row when it is shifted by Vits magnet. spots are also arranged in transverse rows on the commutatore, which as indicated by the horizon' talV row of digits below the commutator correspond in pairs to thev machine positions in` which impulses through t e secondary selector -magnets 44 wil Vresult in positioning the carn-` ming element 34. These pairs of transverse rows,-

are passing beneath-'the Vbruslles 76a, .''icpd synchronously with the passageV of the notches 42, 43 of 'Fig, 3 past latch 46so that iiyfor ex-v ample, an impulse occurs when 'either kof. vtheI 15 rows of spots under the'brusnes, latch 45 will be tripped to coactwith notch 43 as shown iii Fig; 3i i With 'the' particular arranger-nentl ofthe spots 90, Lii any character contains control perforations in accordance with Fig. 4 the appropriateY brushes will be shifted in combinationsto cause afcurrent impulse" through the secondary selector magnet 44 at'the proper time to set 'camming element 34. Y

The operation will be clearer from a specic Assume that a card feeding past the brush52 `bears periorations in its 5, 11, and l2 index' point position'sfrepresenting the characterA l W. When the brush 52 encounters'theY index perforation in the 11 index point positionthe 1-1 spot of theV reading-in cornmutator 73 is under cent row.` When the brush 52 encounters the perforationin 'the 12 index point position, thev Y brush? 78av will be similarly shifted. By tracing the circuits-in Fig. 7 itl will be noted that with brushes 77a and '78a shifted a circuit is completed when and only when the left row of conducting spots or" zone 3 is under the brushes; brushes "17oJ and 78a being bridged at this time by the connected spots on the comniutator'BO. This results in an impulse through magnet 44 as follows: Referring also to Fig, 8 current will iiow from the right side of line to wire 91, brush 78a, connected spots 90 in the left column ci zone 3, brush 77a, wire 92, brush 76a, spot 90 which is connected to ring 93, brush 94, wire to magnet 44 and thence back to line. This cnergization ormagnet 44 takes place previous to the arrival oi the vleading edge of the card at the lower brushes 54 which now sense the index point posi-V tions 9 fto` l to energize the primary selecting magnet 24 to printthe character represented.

Continuing the tracing of the circuits involved;V

brushes 54 are ineii'ective to complete a circuit through any ofthe control holes.

The selection oiga character for printingrunder control of brushes 54 has been described. Other characters represented byperforations in accordance with the Lower brush elds of zones 1', 2 and 3 of Fig. 4 will result in selecting the'corresponding type elements vin a similar manner.

vSwitching device Where the-character being analyzed: is one of sor loo

vrot

Insert 98 is so proporthose in the Extra field, the switching commutator 62 will function to cause this column to be read by the brushes 56 after the zone has been, selected. Assuming the specific character to be the letter P, the circuit will be (Fig. 7) on a line 91, brush 78a, connected spots 90 in the right column of zone 2, brush 77a, Wire 92, brush 76a, spot in the right column of zone 2, which is connected to a ring V101, brush 102, wire 103, switching magnet 104, wire 105, to magnet 44. In the same manner for each character represented in Fig. 4 under the field headed Extra the selecting circuit for magnet 44 will be serially through switching magnet 104.

Magnet 104 is adapted to shift` brush 99 in a manner identical with the shifting of brushes 76a etc., so that the brush moves out of the path of insert 98 and into that of an insert 106 so that as the card continues through the machine a circuit will be established through the 2 index point hole of the selected letter P from brush 56 to block 57, wire 63, brush 107, ring 108, insert 106, brush 99, Wire 100 to magnet 24. This energizes magnet 24 at the time the carrier 23 bearing letter P arrives in printing position. Brushes 54 and 56 are so related that brush 56 cooperates rwith the 4 index point position of the card immediately after the 1 index point has passed the brush 54 so that the carriers 23 successively pre-` sent the characters to printing position in the order outlined in Fig.. 7 above commutator '72.

The general mechanical Vstructure of the switching mechanism is similar to that ofthe translators and commutators 62 and. 79have been formed integral for convenience and mounted on.

a common gear 109 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is driven in synchronism at a ratio of one to one with the printing drum 20 (Fig. 1) through the gearing shown.

Any of the brushes 76a, 77a, 78a, which are displaced from normal latched position are automatically restored after vthe brushes have traversed spots 90 and-'prior to subsequent energization of any of their magnets under control of the reading-in commutator.

The restoring mechanism (Figs. 5, 9 and 10) consists of a pivoted arm 110 whose free end underlies the ends of brushes 77a and 78a and" which has pin and slot connection with a lever 111 Whose opposite end underlies brushV 76a. Arm 110 carries a -pin 112 which at the proper time in each cycle is engaged by a cam l113 (Fig. 5) on the driving gear of commutator 80 to rock arms 110 and 111 to restore the brushes which remain in normal latched position as lin Fig. 6 until their magnets are again energized torelease the latching mechanism.

Y Brush 99 is similarly restored through an arm 114 having a pin 115 cooperating with a cam 116 on gear 109 which returns brush 99 to normal position after all of the carriers 23 have presented themselves to printing position.

Where it is desired to add from certain columns on the card, such columns will beconnected from their plugs 58 (Fig.v 8) to the plugs terminating wires 59. It will be noted in connection with Fig. 4 that the perforations representing digits involve no'control holes and that the holes are arranged in the well known Hollerith manner so that no effective circuits Will be established throughV brushes 52 or 56 and items will be accumulated from the card in the regular manner.

The adding mechanism which is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, at 120, may be similar to that shown and described in Carroll Patent No. 1,726,539. It will be appreciated that with the present improved construction of printing mechanism and with the improved selection of type by primary and secondary selecting action, which primary and secondary selection is made during one revolution of the printing drum, that it is possible to effect adding during one revolutionk of the drum and that in the same single revolution of the drum it is possible vto select or print all of the letters of the alphabet and the numerals. l

Accordingly, a record controlled machine can print alphabetical characters and concurrently add at the speed heretofore only obtainable for adding and printing numerical characters alone. In other words, notwithstanding that provision is made for alphabetical printing, the printing of the alphabet does not hamper the speed of th 'adding'. Y

Accordingly, the present construction provides a tabulating machine in which one speed of operation of the printing elements can be used for both listing, adding and listing, adding alone, or adding with accompanying alphabetical printing. Heretofore when alphabetical printing was attempted the speed of machine operation as a whole was hampered or the drum proportions were so increasedthat adding took place in one portion of the cycle followed by subsequent alphabetical printing. Heretofore, accordingly it has not been possible to have concurrent adding with alphabetical printing and with unhainpered speed of operation.

The adding mechanism consists brieiiy of a plurality of index wheels 125which are driventhrough gear trains from counter shafts 126 geared to cross shaft 127. Shaft 127 is constantly rotating and one gear of each train carries-clutch teeth 2S. A coacting clutch member 129 is splined to shaft 126 to rotate with it, but may be shifted under control of magnet 60 into clutching position thereby rotating the gear trainy and the registering element 125 with the shaft 126.V At a predetermined point in each machine cycle any clutches which are in engaged position are automatically unclutched and restored vto the position of Fig. 1 thereby arresting the motionof registering elements 125 in their new positions. It will thus be obvious that vthe registering positionof the elements 125.is determined by the diierential time during the machine cycle when an operating pulse is supplied to magnet 60 by brush 54. fIhis accounting mechanism is fully described in the Carroll Patent No. 1,726,539 to which reference may be had for a complete explanation. l v

A modification of the printing mechanism is illustrated in Figs. l1 and 12. In this form the parts corresponding to those in the other gures are represented by the same reference characters with the latter a added. The drum 20a has a greater number of carriers 23d and each carrier has pivoted upon its free end a printing element 33a having type 150, 151. A spring detent 152, cooperates with suitable notches in 33a to hold the member in position to print upon the platen 28a from either of the type.

The secondary selecting magnet 44a is adapted to position a camming element 153 in the path of arms 154 of elements 33a where it is held by a latch 155. The normal position of cam 153 is out of cooperation with arms 154. A restoring bail 156 is adapted when rocked to actuate latch 155 thus-releasing cam 153. With the cam in V ing groups of the position of Fig. 11 each arm 154in succes.-V

sion, Will be engaged and its element 33a rocked from the relative position of Fig. l2 Where type 150 is in active positionto move type 151 into effectiveposition so that as the carriers 23u move into printing position `the selection of one of them by primary magnet 24a lwill cause printing from type 15].. Cams 157 on cam shafts 21a serve to rock elements 33a back yto normal position after they have passed platen 28a.

While there has been shown andy described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modication, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of theV device illustrated and in its operation may be 'madeby those skilled in the art Without departing' from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims:

l. In a record controlled machine, ,means for sensing cards in motion, a rotary drum adapted to advance a group of type to and past a printing position during the passage of asingle index position past the sensing means and a cyclically operable selecting device controlled by said sensing means for controlling the selection of one or the type in said group.

2. In a printing machine having a rotatable drum carrying type `carriers each having multiple type thereon, a plur lity of sensing stations, means forieeding cardsnthrough said stations, one of Vsaid stations being responsive to a perforation in separate predetermined positions on a card, selecting mechanism'controlled thereby, type positioning means controlled by said selecting mechanism for selecting c. type on each carrier and means controlled through another of said sensinT stations, responsive toa perforation in the card ici' actuatingone of said carriers to cause the selected type thereon to"print`. y

3. In a card controlled printing machine having card sensing means, a rotatable drum carry-" type carriers, each carrier having multiple type thereon and type selecting mechanism comprising primary, secondaryand tertiary, group, carrier and type selecting means, and means controlled by said card sensing means lor making a primary selection of a group of typey carriers, a secondary selection of a carrier in a selected group and a tertiary selection of a Vtype upon the selected carrier, said selections being eiective during a single rotation of said drum. Y

4. In a printing machine having a rotatabley drum carrying groups of type carriers, each carrier having multiple type thereon and type selecting mechanism comprising primary, secondary and tertiary group carrier and type selecting means and means operative in. one rotative cycle of the drum for making a primary selection of a group of type carriers, a secondary selection of a carrier in the selected group and a tertiary selection oi atype upon .the selected carrier. l

5. In a card controlled printing machine having card sensing means, groups of type carriers, each carrier having multiple type thereon and type selecting mechanismV comprising primary, secondary and tertiary group. carrier and type selecting means, and means controlled by said sensing means for making a primary selection of a group o' type' carriers, a secondary selection of a carrier'in a selected group and a tertiary selection of a type upon thev selected carrier. a f

6. A card controlledprinting mechanism comprising card sensing means, a plurality of groups of continuously movable type carriers, each with a plurality of type thereon which are relatively movable with respect to. the Atype carrier, and means controlled by said sensing means forfconcurrently selecting a group of carriers, a particular carrier Within said groupan'da particular type upona carrier forprinting action.

.sensingone record for each revolution of the printing drunnmeansv for effecting-.a concurrent major, intermediate and minor selection of the type during one revolution of the drum. 8. In a machine of the classdescribed, means for analyzing a perforated record card comprising primary, secondary and tertiary sensing means, a plurality of groups of type carriers, each carrier With multiple type thereon, means controlled by said primary sensing means for selecting a group of carriers for printing action, means controiled by said secondary and tertiary sensing meansV for controlling which of the carriers of a group is to be actuated and further means controlled by said primary sensing means for controlling the operation of said secondary and tertiary sensing. means.

9. In a record controlled machine for operating upon combinational index point records and translating the readings thereon into single timed current impulses, comprising a rotatable drum carrying type carriers each having multiple type thereon, record analyzing means, translating mechanism settable under control `of said analyzing means, selecting mechanism settable under control of said translating mechanism to selecta type upon each carrier for printing said translating mechanism being adapted to cooperate with said analyzing means toconvert the readings into single timed current impulses.

l0. In a record controlled machine having a rotatable drum carrying type carriers each having multiple type thereon, sensing means adapted to sense perfor-ations in combinational index point records, aV rotatable coinmutator and brushes shiftable relatively thereto under con- :trol of said sensing means in accordance with combinations of index pointson the records to convert the readings into single timed current impulses, and selecting means controlled by said commutatcr to select one of said type for operation.y y

ll. Infa record controlled machine, means for feeding record cards having index points, a rotatable drum having type carriers thereon each provided and including invcombination means carrier carrying multiple type, sensing means ing the passage of a single index point position of a card with respect to a xed point in the machine, and means controllable by a perforation in the card for selecting one of said group of type for operation during the passage of said index point position.

14. In a machine of the class described having feeding means adapted to feed record `cards successively, sensing means adapted to sense the cards index point by index point, a type carrier,

and a plurality of type carried thereby, cooperating with a platen, means for moving said carrier synchronously with the movement of the card so that several type move through printing position during the movement of a single index point past said sensing means, and means controlled by said sensing means for selecting one of said several typefor operation.

15. In a machine of the class described, having feeding means adapted to feed perforated record cards, card sensing means adapted to sense a perforation in a card in motion', a type carrier, a plurality of type carried thereby, means for moving said type to printing position during the cooperation of said sensing means with a perforation, and means controlled by said sensing means for selecting one of said type for printing. i

JAMES W. BRYCE. 

